Gillian Duke & Riverside Finish Seventh in Consolations at 2005 World Championships for Young Horses

Gillian Duke and Riverside finished in seventh position in the consolation finals for the 5-year-old division at the 2005 World Championships for Young Horses held 1-3, 2005 in Verden, Germany.

The division boasted a large field of 34 competitors from 13 nations and was judged by Dieter Schule (GER), David Gardner (GBR) and Lorraine Stubbs (CAN). Riverside, a Hanoverian stallion by Regazzoni x Donnerhall and owned by Ingo Pape, came 14th in the qualifying class with a score of 7.80 which moved them into the Consolation Final class where they dropped slightly in their marks to a 7.68.

The 5-year-old division was won by the Westphalian stallion Damon Hill (Donnerhall x Rubinstein I) of Germany on a score of 9.02. The licensed stallion has been in training with Ingrid Klimke, who due to a broken shoulder suffered six weeks ago could not present the stallion in competition. The reins where then handed over to Klimke’s working student Helen Langehanenberg.

The 6-year-old division was won by the Westphalian stallion Florencio, also of Germany, with an incredible score of 9.48 and the only horse to receive a perfect 10 (for canter). Again ridden by Hans Peter Minderhoud, Florencio (Florestan I x Weltmeyer) was the 5-year-old division champion at the 2004 Championships.

The FEI Young Horses tests are assessed differently than other FEI dressage tests as they are not judged movement by movement. This gives the judges the freedom to evaluate the overall quality and potential of the horses and encourages discussion among the panel before arriving at their final scores. Marks are given for walk, trot, canter, submission and overall impression.

This was the second year in a row that Duke represented her country at the World Championships for Young Horses. In 2004, Duke competed with Florianus 2, also owned by Ingo Pape. Florianus 2 has since begun a very successful career in the small tour ring with Germany’s Karin Rehbein.

A former Young Rider representing Ontario, Gillian has been in Europe for the past four years, first completing her National “A” Trainer’s Certification at the International Academy for Equestrian Studies and presently working at the renowned Hengststation Pape in Germany where she prepares and competes with their young horses and stallions. During this time, Duke has enjoyed much success in Europe competing in the FEI Young Horse classes against her European counterparts, including preparing stallions for their performance testing and showing them at Stallion Galas.

Photo © Hengstation Pape